History: Resolution 17-0218 accepted $550,000 in grant funding from the McKnight Foundation for economic and community development strategies that support small businesses, engage community members, activate public spaces and support transit-oriented development along the METRO Blue Line extension (Bottineau) corridor (Bottineau LRT Community Works CP 1002318). Hennepin County serves as the fiscal agent for this grant and coordinates activities in partnership with the Bottineau Corridor cities. The proposed strategies funded by McKnight draw on successful lessons learned from both the Central Corridor and Southwest Community Works Moving the Market program and fall outside the scope of what cities and Hennepin County typically have resources to do.

Springboard for the Arts worked with businesses, artists and residents along the Central Corridor in a variety of successful collaborations that supported businesses during light rail transit (LRT) construction. The Springboard model includes partnering with small business owners, local artists and neighboring residents to activate space in station areas through a variety of tools and resources.  Springboard will work with stakeholders to identify stations, strategies, and deliverables that reflect diverse cultures of corridor communities, foster connections and diversify participation. This model is consistent with the Bottineau Corridor cities’ desires for placemaking activities at station areas and with the scope and goals of the McKnight Foundation grant.

Current Request: This request seeks approval of Agreement PR00000065 with Springboard for the Arts for placemaking, community engagement and business support activities in the METRO Blue Line extension corridor, during the period of November 15, 2017 through December 31, 2019 in an amount not to exceed $250,000.

Impact/Outcomes: The contract will provide for placemaking projects at roughly six station areas along the Bottineau LRT Corridor.  Feedback and results from these projects will be used to inform decisions about public spaces, including design of public infrastructure.